If You’re Ready to Make the Move to HDTV,
Make Sure You Have All of the Facts Before You Buy.

As a point of comparison, HDTV has the capacity to display an image that’s 1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels tall. 

Compare high definition resolution to current North American Standard Definition TV at 720 pixels wide by 486 pixels tall.  With a resolution potential that’s 400% higher, HD can bring a remarkable, theater-like experience into your home.

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As a consumer who is ready to take the plunge into the world of high definition, you need to know a few things about your HD display…  Let’s examine some of the options that you have available. 

HDTV Tube Display – PROS ; Incredible razor sharp picture.  Because Tube Displays require no additional convergence other that the initial factory set-up, their resulting picture is extraordinarily sharp and vivid.  HD Tube Displays also excel in rooms with a high degree of ambient light. 

HDTV Tube Display – CONS ;  As with their Standard Definition cousins, Tube Displays are Heavy, and usually carry a comparatively larger price tag per inch of display area. 

HDTV Rear Projection – Similar in design to their big screen cousins, Rear Projection TVs utilize 3 separate CRT’s in a housing located near the base of the back of the cabinet.  These CRTS project the image onto an optically pure assembly that reflects the HD image one a large display area.  Thus the term – Rear Projection.

HDTV Rear Projection  - PROS; Rear Projection TVs, because there are not Tube based, and utilize optics to increase their display area, have a much larger image when compared to a Tube display, per unit cost.  Rear Projection TVs usually have a more robust audio system owing to the increased size of the cabinet. Some HD Rear Projections have extensive “Monitor” capacity, meaning that they have a variety of digital and analogue video and audio inputs for maximum source flexibility.

HDTV Rear Projection – CONS; Ironically, cabinet size. Directly corresponding to the picture area, Rear Projection Big Screens have the largest footprint of any of the HDTV options available.  Convergence – Because Rear Projection TVs utilize 3 separate CRT projectors to generate the High Definition image, they are subject to falling out of convergence. Fortunately, most HD Rear Projection systems are equipped with point Convergence adjustment controls to help fine tune the alignment of the CRTs when necessary.

Burn-In. In order to project such a large image, an HDTV Rear Projector’s CRTS’ operate at a higher light output and consequently, a higher voltage than their Tube counterparts do. This higher energy output can result in CRT burn-in, where static images displayed on the screen can, after an extended period of inactivity, can burn themselves into the CRT phosphors, causing a permanent ghost image.  This is most problematic with HDTV Rear Projection when they are used with Video Games.

HDTV Flat Screen  - Plasma or LCD.  This latest display technology is more commonly referred to as simply “Plasma’ or “LCD”  For discussion purposes, we’ll refer to them as “HD Flat Screen”.  Flat Screens have taken the Home Entertainment and Home Theater Industry by storm, promising the ultimate in HD Resolution Flexibility with the absolute minimum Big Screen TV footprint.

HDTV Flat Screen Pros  - Device Size.  HD Plasma and LCD Screens don’t utilize traditional CRT technology, so they do not require a projection area of a Tube or Rear Projection HDTV.  In fact, HD Flat Screens are shallow enough to hang on a wall with the right support device.  Imagine your Flat Screen hanging above your fireplace…  Convergence – Because HD Plasma and LCD Flat Screens don’t rely on separate CRTs to generate the HD image, convergence is always spot on.

HDTV Flat Screen Plasma / LCD CONS -  Price.  As with any new technology, Plasma and LCD flat screens are still the most expensive high definition solution available.  This will change over time, but the corresponding decrease will not be as rapid as Tube or Rear Projection technologies.

Contrast – The plasma cells and LCD packs in a HD Flat screen are not capable of displaying the range of contrast that their analogue brethren can.  Most Higher End high definition Flat Screens use the 3000:1 spec for measuring contrast.  In practice, by the time you factor in viewing variables and source material, this is far from accurate. Still, these sets shoot a great picture, and most reviews split hairs over what is an overall fantastic image.

Reliability.  HDTV Plasma and LCD Flat Screens are the most delicate of the current display technologies.  Use caution and an extra pair of hands when moving and mounting your device.

Dead Pixels – Very rarely, a plasma cell or LCD pack will malfunction, leaving a little dead dot in the image area of the Flat Screen.  This is a rare occurrence, much less common since Plasma and LCD manufacturing technologies have become more advanced.  

What you should know about Online Shopping.

If you purchase a HDTV Big Screen online, you can save a significant amount of money. But as with any online purchase, you need to wary of “Too Good to be True” offers and stick with only the most reputable companies.

Just because an HDTV dealer shows up in Deal Time, Price Grabber or E-pinions doesn’t mean that they are a quality dealer.  With the right amount of money, and unscrupulous company can buy a listing in one of these price searching engines.  Do your research, and don’t fall for pie in the sky advertising and the good old bait and switch tactics.

You also don’t have to buy your HDTV from a huge retailers who just happens to have an e-commerce presence.  You’ll still eng up paying a retail price. 

So, what can you do?  Below is a list of high definition TV Internet dealers who are accredited on-line merchants.  They represent the best shopping options, in terms of price, customer service, and knowledge.  They have earned our highest recommendation for HDTV quality and service.